Monday, September 14, 2009

Playoff Picture

With about 3 weeks to go in the MLB regular season the playoff picturing is beginning to become clear. Each division seems all but wrapped up, with only the Wild Card being the hot topic.

AL East: The New York Yankees are sitting on a comfortable 7 game cushion over the Boston Red Sox. With a MLB-best 92-52 record, the Yanks really only have home field advantage to play for. The BoSox have put the Rays to bed this weekend, and now really only have the Texas Rangers to worry about in their rear view mirror for the AL Wild Card (4 games back).

AL Central:Detroit is probably the weakest of all possible playoff teams in both the American and National League, but the Tigers are still excited to get back to baseball in October with a 5.5 game lead over the Minnesota Twins. The Twinkies are trying to make things interesting, and do have 7 games remaining against Detroit, so anything is possible.

AL West:The Los Angeles Angels have been in control of the division for most of the season, and with a 6 game lead over the Texas Rangers, it's doubtful that will be changing.

NL East:The Phillies are not playing their best baseball of the year, but they still have a 6.5 game lead in the East. Philadelphia is looking for their 3rd straight postseason appearance, and right now the Florida Marlins are the only thing really worth worrying about.

NL Central:Following the Matt Holliday trade the St. Louis Cardinals went crazy and took off in this division, opening up a 9.5 game lead over the disappointing 2nd place Chicago Cubs. The Red Birds are in contention for home field advantage with the Phils and Dodgers.

NL West:The Dodgers had a strong weekend, but this division is far from secure. The Colorado Rockies (3 back) and San Francisco Giants (7.5) are still holding in there. As of now, the Rockies seem destined to make the playoffs via the division title or wild card with the level they've been playing at.

2 comments:

The Phillies seem to either score hardly any runs and squander good pitching performances, or score enough runs to see their pitching blow up that game. The 9th inning is a whole other matter altogether.